Sculpting their first masterpieces

Betty Tritt, a member of the Hammond Street Senior Center, works on a swan bowl during her first pottery class, which she is taking at the Bangor center. Buy Photo

Linda Coan O'Kresik

Lori Heagle (left), a volunteer at the Hammond Street Senior Center in Bangor, teaches three pottery class a week at the center for members like Pat Wyman (right). "We really learn a lot," said Wyman. Buy Photo

Linda Coan O'Kresik

Lori Heagle (right), a volunteer at the Hammond Street Senior Center, helps Lynda Flower with a piece she is working on in sculpture class. Heagle teaches three classes a week at the center. Buy Photo

Linda Coan O'Kresik

Pottery pieces placed on shelves are ready to be fired at the Hammond Street Senior Center.

Linda Coan O'Kresik

Al Banfield, a new member of the Hammond Street Senior Center, works on his first sculpture in a pottery class at the center. "I always wanted to do sculptures," said Banfield. "Learning is a lifelong thing." Buy Photo

Linda Coan O'Kresik

Betty Tritt works on making a swan bowl in her pottery class at the Hammond Street Senior Center, where she enjoys learning new skills and meeting new friends. Buy Photo

Linda Coan O'Kresik

Pat Wyman works on sculpting a face in a pottery class at the Hammond Street Senior Center, where she is a member. In background is Al Banfield, a new member of the center. Buy Photo

Linda Coan O'Kresik

Lynda Flower has always wanted her own totem pole, so she is creating one in a pottery class at the Hammond Street Senior Center. "My maiden name is Potter," said Flower, "so I've always thought I should try pottery." Buy Photo

While Lynda Flower was creating her own totem pole, Al Banfield was sculpting a head at the other end of the table.

“I always wanted to do sculptures,” said Banfield, “but I didn’t think I could do this.”

Like other students taking pottery classes at the Hammond Street Senior Center in Bangor, Banfield successfully created his first pottery “masterpiece.”

Each student had his or her own reason for trying pottery for the first time in their golden years.

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“My maiden name is Potter, so I always thought I should try pottery. It honestly reminds me of making mud pies as a kid,” Flower said with a smile.

The class of five was sitting around a large table working and chatting. But the conversation was about much more than clay projects. They were talking about their kids and grandkids. Vacations and moving. Living with their adult children. Everyday life.

They all had something in common and were forming friendships around the pottery table.

For those who are 60 and over, the Hammond Street Senior Center is a hub for learning, fitness, friendships, and fun.

“I love the sense of community,” said Mary Banfield during pottery class. “Everybody is just so positive and upbeat. It’s a great place to be.”